Iris Robinson has been cleared of any wrongdoing over the awarding of a contract to her former lover.

The investigation began last year after a BBC programme alleged that she had acted illegally in borrowing money to help 19-year-old Kirk McCambley lease a cafe from Castlereagh Borough Council. The council was also cleared by the investigation, which was conducted by Deloitte.

Mrs Robinson (61), a former MP, and wife of the DUP leader Peter, has made no comment so far on the results of the investigation.

However, DUP MLA Jimmy Spratt, who saw the report yesterday, said it made "absolutely no criticism whatsoever" of Mrs Robinson. "Those who previously engaged in rumour-mongering and mudslinging now have no foundation to continue to do so. There is no evidence of wrongdoing by officers of the council or either past or present councillors within the council of Castlereagh."

Over the last 14 months, Mr Spratt said, "Iris, Peter and their family have been in our thoughts and prayers and we were delighted that Iris felt able to attend the banquet to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s visit to the Irish Republic last week".

Mrs Robinson resigned as an MP, and MLA and as a councillor after the BBC allegations. Her visit to the state dinner in honour of Queen Elizabeth was her first public appearance since the controversy erupted.